- Safety First -
To protect our patients and ourselves, our staff wear masks, gloves, glasses. All instruments are cleaned, disinfected and routinely sterilized as recommended by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control. Whenever possible, desposable single use items are used to ensure your safety. Handpieces (drills) are streilized with a state-of-the-art sterilization unit specifically designed for this purpose. All surfaces in the treatment rooms are cleaned and disinfected after each patient. A dedicated H2O supply is another feature we are proud of. (No city water lines are attached to our dental equipment) Back to top?
- Making You Comfortable -
You are not alone if you feel anxious about a visit to the dentist. We understand and share your concerns and strive to make every dental visit comfortable. If there is anything else we can do for you, let us know. In addtion to topical and local anesthetic, we offer "oral conscious sedation" where the patient is sedated but responsive.
Dr. Thomas is available 24 hours a day for emergencies if the need arrives. Simply call our office number (1-707-527-5111) for instructions on how to reach the Doctor. Back to top?
- Hygiene -
An integral part of maintaining your teeth for life is the removal of plaque and tarter on a regular basis. The frequency of your visits is based upon your individual needs and oral health. During your visit we will update your medical history, perform an oral cancer screening, examine your teeth for cavities decay or breakdown, review oral hygiene instructions, and monitor your periodontal (gum) conditions. Fluoride treatments are provided for childern under the age of thirteen and for adults when appropriate. Back to top?
- Laser Dentistry -
Our office is now equipped with the Waterlase- a breakthrough in laser dentistry. Laser energized water, Hydrokinetics replaces the drill in many instances. Waterlase does away with whine of the drill. Since there is no heat or vibration, the Waterlase reduces the need for needles and anesthesia. See more information on Waterlase in News and Events. Back to top?
- Cosmetic Surgery -
Cosmetic dentistry ecompasses re-shaping teeth, filling in gaps, and changing the shape or color. This can be done with bonded resin fillings or porcelain veneers and crowns. Whitening can be in one appointment with a laser or at home with a tray system. Back to top?
- No-Drill Fillings -
We offer Air Abrasion Technology instead of the standard drill for preparing small restorations. Typically this works best with virgin teeth and small areas of decay. One advantage of the Air Abrasion technique is that most fillings can be done without anesthesia. Back to top?
- Less Radiation -
Our office is equipped with the latest cutting edge technology for Digital X-rays. Using an electronic sensor, a sharp and clear digital image can be captured that will appear on a computer screen within seconds. These instant images can easily be enhanced by just a click of a mouse to change the contrast or soom in on a specific area of concern. All this and at 90% less radiation. Amazing! Back to top?
- Intra-Oral Camera -
Utilizing an intr-oral camera gives both you and us the opertunity to see potential problems occuring in your mouth, such as decay or fractured teeth. Often a tooth will not start bothering you until there is significant loss of tooth structure. With the help of the intra-oral camera problems can be detected earlier. Back to top?
- Sealants -
Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic "coating" is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively "seals" the deep grooves where decay is most likely to start. This procedure is highly recommended ro children. Back to top?
- Orthodontics -
For patients, adults and children, who have crowded or crooked teeth, spaces between their teeth or misaligned and jaws, orthodontic therapy can help reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma due to protruding teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an evaluation by 7 years of age. More than 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. While we do not orthodontic care, we can refer you to a train specialist. Back to top?
- Implants -
A remarkable procedure, implants can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like a "bolt" which will ultimately support a new tooth prosthesis. The advantages of implants for patients with dentures are: denture stability, increased patient comfort and confidence. While implants themselves are inserted by an oral surgeon, our role is planning the placement of implants and restoring the integrated implants after surgery. Back to top?
- Mercury Free Fillings -
Many people are concerned about the 50% mercury content in amalgam filling. We are concerned as well, in fact, mercury fillings are not available in our practice. As an alternative we offer resins (composite) fillings for the smaller area of decay. For the larger areas of decay we often recommend porcelain inlays or onlays. These porcelain fillings require less tooth structrue to be removed for the preparation, thus more conservative than a preparation for a crown. In addition, resin and procelain restorations are bonded in, which creates a better seal and less chance for leakage. Back to top?
- Crowns -
A "cap", "jacket" or "crown" will restore a broken, heavily filled or cracked tooth to its original size and shape. This may also be recommended after root canal therapy has been completed as the tooth tends to become brittle and is more apt to fracture. Crowns can strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and improve the appearance of your teeth. Back to top?
- Periodontal Disease -
While seldom painful and frequently free of any obvious signs or symptoms, periodontal disease can progress, undetected, to the point where supporting bone is destroyed. With 80% ot 90% of all teenagers having some form of gingivitis (inflamed gums) and 75% of adult tooth loss for people over the age of 35 due to periodontal disease, early treatment and prevention is essential. While periodontal disease is caused by bacterial plaque, a number of other factors including poorly fitting brigdes, badly aligned teeth and defective fillings contribute to the development of this condition. Dr. Thomas and our dental hygienists will provide many periodontal services, including laser treatment and microbiotical agents. Back to top?
- Oral Surgery -
The goal of modern dentistry is to prevent tooth loss. When a tooth cannot be saved, extraction (removal) of the tooth may be the only course of treatment. A full mouth series of x-rays allows us to see a complete picture of the positioning of you teeth and if there is sufficient space for your third molars (Wisdom Teeth) to fully erupt. In addition, it is an excellant diagnostic tool for evaluating the supporting bone for possible cyst or tumors. Most surgeries are performed at our facility, however the doctor may choose to refer to a oral surgeon for more complicated cases. Back to top?
- Bridges -
A non-removable bridge can restore your teeth to normal function by replacing missing teeth. It will improve the entire health of your mouth by keeping the surrounding teeth in position and can also help maintain the structure of your face and jaw. Back to top?
- Root Canal Therapy -
If a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment may be the only way to save the tooth, short of removing it. Root canal treatment consists of removing the nerve that lies within the root of the tooth. Most root canals can be performed on-site. Back to top?
- Dentures -
Many people believe that once they have dentures, they no longer need regular dental care. Denture wearers require regular exams to ensure their health, comfort and appearance. Gum tissues are in a constant state of change. Periodic relining of the dentures may be necessary to ensure a tight and comfortable fit. Implants improve the function of dentures. If you wear dentures, you may want to be evaluated for the possibility of implants. Back to top?
- Athletic/Snore/Night Guards -
We provide state of the art custom made athletic mouthguards for all patients requiring protection during athleticc competition in "at risk" sports. Store bought over the counter mouthguards do not fit as well nor do they provide the anticipated and necessary protection to help prevent dental/facial injuires. The only mouthguard that should be worn is that made from a model of the mouth. Patients have individual requirements for fit, comfort level of competition, and compliance. The professionally designed custom made mouthguard satisfies these requirements.
In addition to athletic guards, we can provide a mouth appliance to help "silence the snore" in your home. Night guards provide protection against clenching and grinding or your teeth. Dr Thomas can evaluate your need and recommend the type of night guard you need; hard, soft or NTI. An NTI night guard is the newest innovation for this type of appliance. It is much smaller and more effective in preventing certain dental problems as well as some types of headaches. Back to top?
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